Work knife for summer

D

Da Thurmanator

Joined
Mar 21, 2013
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Hi guys. I'm going to be working this summer to pay for college. I'll be working for my Dad's bussiness doing mechanic type work on small engines. I've been think about which knife I want to use and none of mine seem to fit that kind of work. What would you guys recommend? I want it to be really tough. I know it's not good for knives but I'm guessing I'll be doing some prying and stuff like that. I have large hands so I like larger knives but it doesn't have to be big. It needs to be pretty inexpensive too. I don't want to cry if something happens to it.
 
Can you carry a fixed blade? If so go Mora, sharp strong utility knives that are easy on the pocket.
 
Ontario Rat 1 is a great folder that asks to be thrashed and comes back for more. Plus at around $30 it can easily be replaced. If you don't mind a fixed blade check out the Scrap Yard Scrapivore. It's a bit smaller but rugged. Also if you foresee prying, the Scrapivore has a flat pommel for prying. Cold Steels would probably hold up well too.
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I don't know how you feel about your budget, but you might want to look into zt blems from kershawguy here on the forums. 0200 or 0350 models for less than $100...and I doubt you'll worry about thrashing them. ZT's are awesome! I currently edc a 0550 model, and use a 0301st for work. Also, look at the Buck CSAR-T line; the intro model for $60ish, In Buck's press release, it says the CSAR-T is "tough enough to use for prying..."-it's made in the USA (matters to me) and carries a full forever warranty should you manage to bug it up somehow.
 
If you can carry one, get a small fixed blade. Mora has some and they're inexpensive, so you could buy a couple of them.
 
A cheap mini prybar will save your knife. Like a Widgy from countycomm or a Leatherman Piranha or Gerber Shard. They'll fit your your keychain, have many uses, all of which a knife is poorly suited for.
 
I also work for my dad who is a small engine mechanic (weird right). I rarely do much prying and prybars are always close by. I carry my spyderco persistence which is probably a little small for you. I suggest you get a Spyderco Tenacious or Resilience.
EDIT My dad carries a discontinued leatherman blast and swears by it. So you may want to look into something similar like the Rebar. Then for cutting task he carries a leatherman folder that is abused to the point where Im not sure if Id call it abused anymore and a few cheap barlows.
 
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Consider one of the smaller Columbia River Knife and Tool Razels.

Fixed blade, just right for scraping gaskets and light prying.
 
Doing mechanical type of work on small engines and looking for a knife suitable for some prying and that kind of stuff? What other tools will you have?
 
I was an auto mechanic for 10 years, and usually had a Spidy rescue. Most of the time you will cut hoses, valve stems and tape, but the occasional belt oor bushing. A tough serrated edge helps get through thick fuel hoses and zip ties, and the straight blade makes a relarively straight cut, without punching through something close by with a sharp point. You can also fold it and squeeze to cut through tough line, or rotate it to score tubing. The glass punch on newer models can score lines or put a starter punch dent in soft metal and sheet steel for drilling, and they aren't expensive, so breaking or losing it isn't horrible. If you need a prybar use a prybar.
 
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I wouldn't use my knife for prying as a mechanic any more than I'd use my knife as a 12mm wrench.

get something sharp with a 3"ish blade, then use the right tools for the right jobs.
 
I'd recommend the Spyderco Gayle Bradley. It is tough enough for anything you could throw at it. And the M4 steel will stay sharp for a long time.

TedP
 
Another vote for a Leatherman (or equivalent multitool). So many more tools than just a folder or fixed blade.
 
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